NETWORK RAIL MEMBERS WIN IMPROVED DEAL

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: july/august 2015 :: RMTnews 8 N etwork Rail members voted by over 80 per cent to accept an improved pay and conditions offer from Network Rail which followed an overwhelmingly vote for strike action. The company moved from the original nought per cent pay offer, effectively a pay cut, to two per cent this year, the equivalent to RPI next year and a guarantee of no job cuts for two years. RMT general secretary Mick Cash thanked Network Rail members for their determination, solidarity and support for their union over the last few months. "Without this support this deal would simply not have been possible. It just goes to show what can be achieved when members stand united and are prepared to fight for decent pay and conditions," he said. However he warned of "creeping privatisation" as key sections of Network Rail are lined up for sell off. The government has confirmed that six key sections of the organisations business are to be tendered out as it moves towards creating Railtrack two. The big four accountancy firms are all vying for sections of the corporate functions which include finance, infrastructure and accounting services. Even more alarmingly, big banks, including NM Rothschild are eyeing up ‘equity execution advice’ roles which are expected to include working out ways to begin the re-privatisation of Network Rail on a piece-by- piece basis. One of the NM Rothschild senior players was also an advisor to the privatised Railtrack which collapsed into chaos leading to the creation of Network Rail. “This government has wasted no time in re-organising Network Rail to fit their agenda and in pressing ahead with this ideologically-driven programme of creeping privatisation. “However, the public remembers only too well the lethal days of Railtrack and the privatisation disaster which led our railways to the scandals of Hatfield, Potters Bar and other incidents which forced the creation of Network Rail,” he said. S outhern/Thameslink Railways and their catering company Rail Gourmet have axed around 70 staff at just four days notice. Southern said that the sudden termination of the catering contract was part of the transfer into the new, expanded Thameslink franchise as they intend to run no more trollies on their trains even though they are operating services in excess of two hours from the south coast to London and on a number of other routes. The existing Southern franchise ended this month and the new merged Thameslink/Southern/Great Northern franchise started up with all of the RMT Rail Gourmet members sacked. Yet Rail Gourmet was told three months ago that their catering trolley services were to be axed. In a further ludicrous twist Rail Gourmet even offered consultation on the dismissals two days after the staff were sacked. It has already been made clear to the union that there are no other jobs for these workers except maybe a handful at the London depot on inferior terms and conditions. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that the disgraceful move was an attack on low paid members and the services that they provide to the travelling public. “This brutal assault is being driven through with just a few days notice and makes a mockery of consultation processes and the very basic duty of care to employees. The fact that is all bound up in the franchising process speaks volumes about how rail privatisation impacts on staff and passengers alike in the drive for profits,” he said. P lanned strike action by fleet engineers on Southern Rail was suspended after a breakthrough in last minute talks which agreed a reduction in the working week. Southern, with the agreement of Govia Thameslink Railway, agreed a reduction in the working week, in a phased way, to a 37 hour week by May 2017 as part of a multi-year deal to be negotiated with GTR. RMT general secretary Mick Cash welcomed the fact that Southern recognised that the hard work and commitment of engineering staff had contributed towards the operation of the company. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank members for their steadfast support in this dispute,” he said. NETWORK RAIL MEMBERS WIN IMPROVED DEAL SOUTHERN CATERING STAFF SACKED SOUTHERN ENGINEERS VICTORY